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Author
Topic: Need help and guidance (Read 5303 times)

Kindly assess my current situation. On Oct 16th I had sex with a CSW. It was unprotected oral and protected vaginal intercourse until the condom failed. It was my first time ever having sex and ended in a disaster. I am uncircumcised which I am told would increase the chances if any. After this incident I have discussed this matter with CSW I have been with and she has been constantly assuring that she was negative which only has been a consoling matter rather than any improvement in my anxiety. After exactly a week after this incident I had cough and pain in my throat. After visiting ENT I was diagnosed for swollen tonsils along with sinus infection. Although the pain subsided the irritation in throat is still persistent after 7 weeks after exposure.

Unable to bear this anxiety I had visited a HIV doctor after 4 weeks (27 days to be precise) he suggested me to have PCR DNA and ELISA anti body test. Results of the tests are not detected and negative respectively. After the tests he assured me that I am HIV negative and can move on without any further concerns. After the tests I have done some research online and to my concerns the validity of tests added. I found that some doctors don't consider PCR DNA a diagnostic test and ELISA is too early to detect anything at that time. Now my worries are back to square one and the money spent on tests are for nothing.

Apart from cough there are few more following physical changes:

1. Few(4-5) pimple like bumps on my back that come and leave scars once cured on their own.2. Sore and redness on tip of the tongue that occurred after 6 weeks and is continuing for a week3. Redness in the eye

Basically I think you are worrying needlessly. The condom protected you until it broke. We're talking about a single incident. And HIV is significantly more difficult to transmit from female to male than the other way around.

The average time to serconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure. So a negative result at 6 weeks is a very strong indication that you will continue to test negative at 3 months for a conclusive result.

Nothing in your "symptoms" is in any way HIV specific. If symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor.

Becoming active sexually can be exciting and it can also be very anxiety-provoking. Take a breath. No kidding. I expect you come out of this ok.

The important test result for you was the negative Elisa at 6 weeks. Given the low level of your risk from the broken condom and that negative result, you are very likely to continue testing negative at 13 weeks. That is the result I certainly expect.

The DNA PCR was never intended to be a diagnostic test. It frequently yields false positives. Don't waste your money on that again.

Thanks a lot RAPID. So should this result mean anything to me which might help me in understanding my situation? Also are there people who turn up being positive later on without any further risks? If yes then in which type of physical conditions?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Sorry to bother you all again but I am getting scared day by day I reach that 13 week mark. I have been constantly examining the physical changes occurring in my body. Recently I am having problem with my skin. I have these small pimples filled with puss that come and go on my back and shoulders. Also I developed a spot on my face (right cheek) which is red in color and upper skin came off when peeled. I hear rashes are common during ARS and what does a typical ARS rash look like. I am unable to feel confident and taking hell load of pressure on myself.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I never thought I would be back on this forum with HIV fear but stupidity bought me back in here. I had this exposure very recently unlike previous time I have been very very careful and had taken all precautions in spite of that the condom failed . Unlike last time this time it was like very few seconds and I realized immediately and pulled of but the ejaculation happened inside. I am running out of my mind. Again the cycle of nervousness and long wait of three months started. I know I am out of my head but kindly help me.

The routine is the same as far as testing. You get a conclusive result at 3 months. And given the same scenario you are likely to test negative again.

As far as having a condom break again, you should be sure you are using a size that is right for you. And the condoms are latex and within the proper date indicated for usage. You should be using a water-based lubricant. When the condom is on pinch the head of it to remove any air that maybe remaining in the condom. Practice this yourself so that become accustomed to putting them on properly.

Forget about looking for symptoms. That will only stoke your fears and all to no good purpose. The symptoms which are sometimes associated with ARS are so similar to those of other illnesses that you cannot go by them. Focusing on looking for them is just going to get you crazy with misinterpreting everything you notice as "another sign".

Focus on other things in your life and eventually you will get tested and collect what I expect will be another negative result.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

The article referenced is seven years old. I can only assume that the tests have improved since then. Every other (non-research) article I have found deems TRIDOT compatible with other current testing guidelines.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

After the exposure on APR 28th,2012 I have taken a tridot antibody test on Aug 5th (14 weeks) and it came back as negative. Can I consider it reliable and final? Your halp is highly appreciated and Thanks for all the support.